Hhs Final Ruling

[Maximilianus]

[quote]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2012
Contact: HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343
[b] A statement by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius[/b]

[color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif,]In August 2011, the Department of Health and Human Services issued an interim final rule that will require most health insurance plans to cover preventive services for women including recommended contraceptive services without charging a co-pay, co-insurance or a deductible. The rule allows certain non-profit religious employers that offer insurance to their employees the choice of whether or not to cover contraceptive services. Today the department is announcing that the final rule on preventive health services will ensure that women with health insurance coverage will have access to the full range of the Institute of Medicine’s recommended preventive services, including all FDA -approved forms of contraception. Women will not have to forego these services because of expensive co-pays or deductibles, or because an insurance plan doesn’t include contraceptive services. This rule is consistent with the laws in a majority of states which already require contraception coverage in health plans, and includes the exemption in the interim final rule allowing certain religious organizations not to provide contraception coverage. Beginning August 1, 2012, most new and renewed health plans will be required to cover these services without cost sharing for women across the country. [/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif,]After evaluating comments, we have decided to add an additional element to the final rule. Nonprofit employers who, based on religious beliefs, do not currently provide contraceptive coverage in their insurance plan, will be provided an additional year, until August 1, 2013, to comply with the new law. Employers wishing to take advantage of the additional year must certify that they qualify for the delayed implementation. This additional year will allow these organizations more time and flexibility to adapt to this new rule. We intend to require employers that do not offer coverage of contraceptive services to provide notice to employees, which will also state that contraceptive services are available at sites such as community health centers, public clinics, and hospitals with income-based support. We will continue to work closely with religious groups during this transitional period to discuss their concerns.[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif,]Scientists have abundant evidence that birth control has significant health benefits for women and their families, it is documented to significantly reduce health costs, and is the most commonly taken drug in America by young and middle-aged women. This rule will provide women with greater access to contraception by requiring coverage and by prohibiting cost sharing.[/font][/color]
[color=#000000][font=Verdana, Arial, sans-serif,]This decision was made after very careful consideration, including the important concerns some have raised about religious liberty. I believe this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between respecting religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services. The administration remains fully committed to its partnerships with faith-based organizations, which promote healthy communities and serve the common good. And this final rule will have no impact on the protections that existing conscience laws and regulations give to health care providers.[/font][/color]
[/quote]

yup

[Lil Red]

USCCB reactions:
http://usccb.org/news/2012/12-012.cfm
[quote][b]Unconscionable to force citizens to buy contraceptives against their will[/b]
[color=black][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3][b][left]
[color=#333333][size=3][b][left][b]No change in limited exemption, only delay in enforcement[/b][/left][/b][/size][/color]
[color=#333333][size=3][b][left][b]Matter of freedom of conscience, freedom of religion[/b][/left][/b][/size][/color][/left][/b][/size][/font][/color][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
WASHINGTON—The Catholic bishops of the United States called “literally unconscionable” a decision by the Obama Administration to continue to demand that sterilization, abortifacients and contraception be included in virtually all health plans. Today's announcement means that this mandate and its very narrow exemption will not change at all; instead there will only be a delay in enforcement against some employers.[/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
“In effect, the president is saying we have a year to figure out how to violate our consciences,” said Cardinal-designate Timothy M. Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.[/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
The cardinal-designate continued, “To force American citizens to choose between violating their consciences and forgoing their healthcare is literally unconscionable.It is as much an attack on access to health care as on religious freedom. Historically this represents a challenge and a compromise of our religious liberty."[/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
The HHS rule requires that sterilization and contraception – including controversial abortifacients – be included among “preventive services” coverage in almost every healthcare plan available to Americans. “The government should not force Americans to act as if pregnancy is a disease to be prevented at all costs,” added Cardinal-designate Dolan.[/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
At issue, the U.S. bishops and other religious leaders insist, is the survival of a cornerstone constitutionally protected freedom that ensures respect for the conscience of Catholics and all other Americans.[/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
“This is nothing less than a direct attack on religion and First Amendment rights,” said Franciscan Sister Jane Marie Klein, chairperson of the board at Franciscan Alliance, Inc., a system of 13 Catholic hospitals. “I have hundreds of employees who will be upset and confused by this edict. I cannot understand it at all.”[/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
Daughter of Charity Sister Carol Keehan, president and chief executive officer of the Catholic Health Association of the United States, voiced disappointment with the decision. Catholic hospitals serve one out of six people who seek hospital care annually.[/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
“This was a missed opportunity to be clear on appropriate conscience protection,” Sister Keehan said.[/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
Cardinal-designate Dolan urged that the HHS mandate be overturned.[/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
“The Obama administration has now drawn an unprecedented line in the sand,” he said. “The Catholic bishops are committed to working with our fellow Americans to reform the law and change this unjust regulation. We will continue to study all the implications of this troubling decision.”[/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
---[/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
First Amendment, heath care, Archbishop Timothy Dolan, Freedom of Conscience, U.S. bishops, United States Conference of Catholic bishops, President Obama, Sister Carol Keehan[/size][/font][font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]
# # # # #[/size][/font]
[color=#333333][size=3][left][b]MEDIA CONTACT:[/b][/left][/size][/color]
[color=#333333][size=3][left]Sr. Mary Ann Walsh[/left][/size][/color]
[color=#333333][size=3][left][b]O:[/b] 202-541-3200[/left][/size][/color]
[color=#333333][size=3][left][b]M:[/b] 301-325-7935[/left][/size][/color]
[color=#333333][size=3][left][email="MWalsh@usccb.org"]Email[/email][/quote][/left][/size][/color]

[missionseeker]

this is not good.

[Lil Red]

Cardinal Dolan speaks out as well:
[url="http://usccb.org/news/2012/12-013.cfm"]http://usccb.org/news/2012/12-013.cfm[/url]
[quote]anuary 20, 2012
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]WASHINGTON—Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan of New York, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), sharply criticized the decision by the Obama administration in which it “ordered almost every employer and insurer in the country to provide sterilization and contraceptives, including some abortion-inducing drugs, in their health plans.” He made the statement in a web video posted at:[url="http://usccb.org/news/2012/12-013.cfm"]http://bcove.me/ob5itz9v[/url][/size][/font]
[left]. . .[/left]

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]“Never before has the federal government forced individuals and organizations to go out into the marketplace and buy a product that violates their conscience. This shouldn’t happen in a land where free exercise of religion ranks first in the Bill of Rights,” Cardinal-designate Dolan said.[/size][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]On January 20, Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Health and Human Services, announced that non-profit employers will have one year to comply with the new rule.[/size][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Cardinal-designate Dolan urged Catholics and the public at large to speak out in protest.[/size][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]“Let your elected leaders know that you want religious liberty and rights of conscience restored and that you want the administration’s contraceptive mandate rescinded,” he said.[/size][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]---[/size][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]Keywords: Cardinal-designate Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York, president, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, video, HHS, mandate, preventive services, Kathleen Sebelius, Health and Human Services, video, Catholics, citizens, action, elected officials, rights, religious liberty, freedom of conscience[/size][/font]
[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]# # # # #[/size][/font]

[left][color=#333333][size=3][b]MEDIA CONTACT:[/b][/size][/color][/left]

[left][color=#333333][size=3]Don Clemmer[/size][/color][/left]

[left][color=#333333][size=3][b]O:[/b] 202-541-3206[/size][/color][/left]

[left][color=#333333][size=3][b]M:[/b] 260-580-1137[/size][/color][/left]

[left][color=#333333][size=3][email="DClemmer@usccb.org"]Email[/email][/quote][/size][/color][/left]

video link: http://www.usccb.org/media/video/?bcpid=911432717001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAAdgye3dk~,p0Zv3iru3vKntdSZldOI6IpJ_Ro3rVN6&bclid=987951266001&bctid=1404872889001

[Brother Adam]

The line has been drawn in the sand.

"Catholic League president Bill Donohue comments on today’s announcement from the Obama administration that it is going forward with its original “Obamacare” policy that mandates coverage of sterilization and contraceptive services in most healthcare plans:

Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius said today that aside from houses of worship, all other religious agencies and organizations will be required to provide sterilization and contraceptive services, including abortifacients, in their employee healthcare plans; none will be allowed to charge co-pays or deductibles. The policy goes into effect in August 2013 for these entities; all others will be required to provide these services in August 2012.

Sebelius explained how her directive applies to non-church religious entities such as Catholic hospitals and universities: “Employers wishing to take advantage of the additional year must certify that they qualify for the delayed implementation. This additional year will allow these organizations more time and flexibility to adapt to this new rule.” She also said, “I believe this proposal strikes the appropriate balance between religious freedom and increasing access to important preventive services.”

The language is Orwellian. With stunning magnanimity, Sebelius tells Catholic non-profits that they can take advantage of their one-year reprieve as long as they seek the blessings of the federal government. If they pass muster with the bureaucrats, then they have time to figure out how they can prostitute their religiously ground convictions, or prepare for bankruptcy. To top things off, after shoving the radical secular agenda down the throat of Catholics—and other people of faith who share their concerns—Sebelius congratulates the Obama administration for striking a “balance” between religious liberty and Obamacare. But, of course, no balance was struck: the edict grants nothing to those who believe in religious liberty, and she knows it.

That this dictatorial edict is being announced in an election year indicates both contempt for the First Amendment and plain stupidity."

[Clare~Therese]

[quote]The language is Orwellian.[/quote]

[i]Big Brother is watching you![/i]

But on a more serious note, I'm going to make a grave understatement and say this smells of elderberries so much.

[font=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][size=3]“The Obama administration has now drawn an unprecedented line in the sand,” he said. “The Catholic bishops are committed to working with our fellow Americans to reform the law and change [i]this unjust regulation[/i]. We will continue to study all the implications of this troubling decision.”[/size][/font]

^ Amen to that!

"An unjust law is no law at all," say St. Augustine. An unjust regulation is no regulation.

[CatherineM]

Final ruling, but not final word. I suspect folks like Dolan and Chaput will have that.

[ardillacid]

How does it strike "an appropriate balance" with freedom of religion?

"the greater good" *zombie chant*

[Roamin Catholic]

[quote][color=#000000][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Scientists have abundant evidence that birth control has significant health benefits for women and their families, it is documented to significantly reduce health costs, and is the most commonly taken drug in America by young and middle-aged women.[/size][/font][/color][/quote]

So many things wrong with just this statement right here......*Sigh*

[brandelynmarie]

Without sounding too alarmist & Apocolyps-ey, what if this is the beginning of the end of money for people of faith? Forcing people to choose between their beliefs & having food on the table. The gov't is saying: you don't abide by our rules, you can't work, you won't get paid, sorry about your luck. And I wonder if this is falling under population control too...making contraceptives free so more people will use them. I'm just thinking outloud right now...

[BigJon16]

How appropriate, only a few days away from the March for Life...

[Brother Adam]

What will happen?

We will rejoice in our sufferings and unite them with the cross of Christ for the salvation of souls.

[brandelynmarie]

[b] [b][url="http://holysoulshermitage.com/2012/01/20/obamas-distinction-between-freedom-of-religion-and-freedom-of-worship-a-holocaust-in-the-making-2/"]UPDATE: Obama’s distinction between freedom of religion and freedom of worship: a Holocaust in the making…[/url][/b][/b]




[b]Obama has been establishing religion in the United States by redefining it as worship without religion, so that one has freedom of worship but no freedom of religion.[/b] [i]Our overseas readers might not know that the establishment of religion by the government is against the U.S. Consitution.[/i]

[b][color=#ff0000]Religion[/color][/b]: Rendering to God what is His due in justice, a matter of obligation between creature and Creator, which includes acting on one’s conscience in accord with Natural Law (and all that we know by way of revelation).

[b][color=#ff0000]Worship[/color][/b]: Rendering to God what is His due in justice, a matter of obligation between creature and Creator, which worship, however, is made invalid if one does not act in accord with one’s conscience in accord with Natural Law (and all that we know by way of revelation).
The same God who said “Thou shalt worship!” also said “Thou shalt not abort your children!”

Obama wants to oblige people in his law, against the Natural Law, to pay insurance premiums that would pay for abortions. This would go against the freedom of religion and would invalidate all freedom of worship.
People will also be obliged in law to pay a fine if they don’t pay such insurance premiums. But that money would go right back into the pot to pay for abortions, would it not? So, if the fine is not paid? What? Confiscation of bank accounts? Confiscation of goods? Jail? Then?

This is [i]not[/i] about money. This is about the mania of the President of the United States and his administration to get you to agree to murder children. He wants to break you. In doing this, he destroys both freedom of religion and freedom of worship.

Is there a way out? Yep. Be a martyr.

[url="http://holysoulshermitage.com/"]http://holysoulshermitage.com/[/url]

Edited January 21, 2012 by brandelynmarie

[Papist]

So basically, the dear gov'ment is requiring insurance companies to provide free birth control for women. That looks like [s]traditionalism[/s]...ah I mean fascism.

[dominicansoul]

...lets just hope the "catholics" who vote and praise Obama finally get some sense in their heads to stop the bull poo and not vote for him this time around.....